Laurie, a Board of Health staff member, updated the Templeton Board of Health on July 28 about ongoing housing-code enforcement, trash-burning complaints and an in-process community septic loan application for 44 Michaels Lane.

Laurie said the town is handling multiple trash complaints, including people burning trash and piling refuse in yards, and that enforcement is slow because the health office lacks sufficient personnel and legal action requires attorney involvement and expense. "We do not have enough personnel to make it any quicker than it currently is. We have to have lawyers when we go to court," Laurie said. She cited specific cases the office is working on at Bridge Street and Forest Street and said a property on Albert Drive was listed for sale and may have changed hands, though no deed transfer had yet been processed.

On the community septic loan for 44 Michaels Lane, Laurie said the applicants had not yet provided cost estimates or a septic plan. "They haven't gotten their... estimates yet. I'm not even sure they have their septic plan yet," she said, and added she would bring an update to the next meeting. The board did not vote on the loan application at the July meeting.

Board discussion reiterated that permitted open fires are limited to permitted burns through the fire department or small cook fires and that burning trash can result in fines and referral to the Department of Environmental Protection if it continues.

No new ordinances, funding decisions or court outcomes were approved at the meeting; staff will continue enforcement actions and report back on the septic loan application when additional documents are available.